Easter Grain Pie

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 5 cups water
• 1/2 cup whole wheat berries
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package mixed candied fruit
• 1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 pastries for 9-inch lattice-top pies
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar for dusting

Recipe

Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 30 mins


• bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. pour in wheat and allow to boil 40 minutes. as wheat is cooking, beat eggs in a large bowl while gradually adding 1 cup sugar to eggs. mix in fruit, ricotta, vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon rind, and orange rind.
• when wheat is ready, drain in a colander and rinse with warm water. place 3/4 cup of cooked wheat in a small bowl, and mix in shortening and salt. stir until shortening is melted, then stir wheat mixture into ricotta mixture along with the rest of the cooked wheat berries.
• preheat oven to 375 degrees f (190 degrees c).
• line two 9 inch pie pans with pastry. cut remaining pastry into strips for tops of pies. spoon half of filling into each pan. cover with pastry strips to form lattice tops. crimp edges.
• bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, until crust is golden brown. sprinkle each pie with 1 tablespoon sugar and allow to cool at room temperature. chill overnight before serving. store any leftovers in refrigerator.

Asparagus Parmesan

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 15 mins


• melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. add asparagus spears, and cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or to desired firmness. drain off excess oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Crustless Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups shredded muenster cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
• in a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. add spinach mixture and stir to blend. scoop into prepared pie pan.
• bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Zippy Cranberry Cheddar Spread

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 15 mins


• in a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and milk until well blended. season with mustard powder and cayenne pepper, then mix in dried cranberries. use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Crustless Spinach Quiche

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups shredded muenster cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
• heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
• in a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. add spinach mixture and stir to blend. scoop into prepared pie pan.
• bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Asparagus Parmesan

Ingredients

• Servings: 5
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 15 mins


• melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. add asparagus spears, and cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or to desired firmness. drain off excess oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 20 mins


• in a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. stir in chocolate chips. cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.